Visa Bulletin for December 2020

What the State Department said

Scheduled expiration of two employment visa categories

The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (P.L. 116-159) extends both the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) and Employment Fifth Preference Pilot (I5 and R5) Categories until December 11, 2020.

Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):

Pursuant to the continuing resolution, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on December 11, 2020. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight December 10, 2020. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of December 10, 2020, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight December 10, 2020. If there is legislative action extending this category, the December dates would be applied for the entire month. If there is no legislative action extending this category, the category will become “Unavailable” effective midnight December 10, 2020.

Employment Fifth Preference Categories (I5 and R5):

Pursuant to the continuing resolution, the immigrant investor pilot program is extended until December 11, 2020. The I5 and R5 visas may be issued until close of business on December 11, 2020, and may be issued for the full validity period. No I5 or R5 visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases after December 11, 2020. If there is legislative action extending these categories, the December dates would be applied for the entire month. If there is no legislative action extending this category, the category will become “Unavailable” effective midnight, December 11, 2020.